Abstract
Objective
To investigate whether combination of corticosteroid subdeltoid injections and physiotherapy was more effective than either treatment alone in chronic subacromial bursitis.
Design
Prospective, three-arm randomised controlled trial.
Setting
Rehabilitation department of an academic hospital.
Subjects
Patients with chronic subacromial bursitis.
Interventions
Patients were divided into corticosteroid injection (N = 36), physiotherapy (N = 40) and combined (N = 35) groups. Two corticosteroid subdeltoid injections in corticosteroid group, 8-week physical therapy emphasising on therapeutic exercise in physiotherapy group, and combined both treatments in combined group.
Main outcome measures
The primary outcome measures were pain visual analogue scale and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index at 8 weeks after finishing treatment. The secondary outcome measures were active range of motion, Shoulder Disability Questionnaire, Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index, patient's evaluation of treatment effect, and symptom recurrence.
Results
Group comparison showed significant statistical difference in shoulder flexion (P < 0.003) and patient's evaluation of treatment effect (P < 0.001). The time and group interactions comparison revealed significant statistical differences in pain score (P < 0.024), external rotation (P < 0.044) and patient's evaluation of treatment effect (P < 0.001). The above statistics were in favour of the corticosteroid and combined groups rather than physiotherapy group. The percentage of recurrence was 36.1, 7.5 and 17.1 in the corticosteroid, physiotherapy and combined groups, respectively (P < 0.001).
Conclusion
Corticosteroid subdeltoid injection, or combined with physiotherapy, was superior to physiotherapy alone, but the recurrence rate was least in the physiotherapy group.
Keywords
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References
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